Eid Prayer: How to Pray Salat al-Eid, Its Time, Takbirs and Sunnahs

The Eid prayer is a congregational prayer of two rak'ahs offered on the morning of Eid al-Fitr, the first of Shawwal, and Eid al-Adha, the tenth of Dhul Hijjah. Sahih al-Bukhari 956 describes the Prophet going out to the prayer ground on both days, beginning with the prayer and then standing to address the people, and Sahih al-Bukhari 952 records his words that every nation has its Eid and this is ours.

Its legal status differs by school. A SeekersGuidance Hanafi answer describes it as wajib for those who are obliged to attend Friday prayer. The Shafi'i guidance of the Federal Territory Mufti in Malaysia calls it Sunnah rather than wajib. IslamOnline's comparative summary describes it as a communal obligation in the Hanbali school and an emphasised Sunnah for the Malikis and Shafi'is.

Whatever the classification, the reports show the whole community taking part. Umm Atiyyah's report in Sahih al-Bukhari 971 describes women, including young women and those who were menstruating, coming out on Eid to join the takbir and supplication, and Sahih al-Bukhari 974 adds that menstruating women kept away from the prayer area itself.

Sources: [1] [2] [23] [29] [30] [5] [6]

The Eid prayer's time begins once the sun has fully risen and ends just before Dhuhr begins. The SeekersGuidance Hanafi account gives this window, and the Malaysian Federal Territory Mufti describes the same period from after sunrise until the sun passes its zenith. Sunan Abi Dawud 1135, graded sahih by al-Albani, reports a Companion objecting when an imam was late and saying that they used to have finished by the forenoon.

In practice, mosques and Eid committees announce one or more congregation times, usually well before Dhuhr. Check the time and place the night before, especially where the start of Eid depends on a moon-sighting decision announced late. When news of the new moon reached the Prophet too late in the day, Sunan Abi Dawud 1157, graded sahih by al-Albani, reports that he told the people to end their fast and go out to the prayer place the next morning. The Hanafi account also notes that the Eid al-Adha prayer can be delayed beyond its first day.

Sources: [23] [29] [15] [19]

The Eid prayer is two rak'ahs with additional takbirs, and it has no adhan or iqamah. Sahih al-Bukhari 964 records the Prophet praying two rak'ahs on Eid al-Fitr without praying anything before or after them there, and Sahih al-Bukhari 957 falls under a chapter heading stating that the Eid prayer comes before the sermon without adhan or iqamah.

Make the intention to pray the Eid prayer behind the imam, then follow him. The general order below is shared by the schools; the number and position of the extra takbirs is where they differ. The imam pauses briefly between the extra takbirs. The Malaysian Shafi'i guidance recommends a short glorification in each pause, and the Hanbali account on IslamQA gives a longer formula of praise and blessings.

• Say the opening takbir, followed by the opening supplication where your school teaches one.
• Say the extra takbirs of the first rak'ah, then recite Al-Fatihah and a further passage; Sahih Muslim 878a mentions Surah Al-A'la and Surah Al-Ghashiyah, and Sahih Muslim 891a mentions Surah Qaf and Surah Al-Qamar.
• Bow and prostrate as in any prayer.
• In the second rak'ah, say the extra takbirs before or after the recitation, depending on the school.
• Complete the prayer with the tashahhud and salam, then stay for the sermon.

Sources: [4] [3] [29] [27] [20] [21]

The number of extra takbirs depends on the school, and each position relies on transmitted reports. Sunan Abi Dawud 1151, graded hasan by al-Albani, reports seven takbirs in the first rak'ah and five in the second. Sunan Abi Dawud 1153, graded hasan sahih by al-Albani, reports Abu Musa saying that the Prophet made four takbirs, as at funerals, a report associated with the smaller count.

A follower should follow the imam's number rather than insist on their own school's. SeekersGuidance's Shafi'i answer says to follow the imam in the number of takbirs, and not to add them if the imam leaves them out, because following the imam takes precedence over a recommended act. Raising the hands also differs, as the table shows, and the Hanafi account treats the extra takbirs as necessary for both imam and follower.

Sources: [16] [17] [25] [23] [26] [27] [24]

After. Sahih al-Bukhari 957 reports that the Prophet offered the Eid prayers and then delivered the sermon, the reverse of the Friday order, and Sahih al-Bukhari 956 describes him standing to face the people in their rows after the prayer. The SeekersGuidance Hanafi account describes two short sermons as Sunnah and says that what is disliked during the Friday sermon is disliked during the Eid sermon, so listen quietly.

Sunan Abi Dawud 1155 reports the Prophet saying after the prayer that whoever wished to sit for the sermon could sit and whoever wished to leave could leave. Al-Albani graded it sahih, although Abu Dawud himself described it as mursal, meaning a link in its chain is missing. Staying to listen is the better practice, and the sermon is often where practical reminders about charity and the sacrifice are given.

Sources: [3] [1] [23] [18]

The reported practices of the day centre on cleanliness, remembrance, generosity and joy. Muwatta Malik records that Ibn Umar bathed on the day of Eid al-Fitr before going to the prayer ground, and the SeekersGuidance Hanafi account lists ghusl before the prayer among the day's Sunnahs.

Eating differs between the two Eids. Sahih al-Bukhari 953 reports that the Prophet did not go out on Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates, in an odd number, and Jami at-Tirmidhi 542, graded hasan on sunnah.com, adds that on Eid al-Adha he did not eat until he had prayed.

Say the takbir. Qur'an 2:185 links completing the fast with glorifying Allah for His guidance, and Egypt's Dar al-Ifta explains that the Sunnah does not restrict it to one wording; a widely used form is Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd. The Hanafi account says it quietly on the way to Eid al-Fitr and aloud on the way to Eid al-Adha. Sahih al-Bukhari 986 reports that the Prophet returned by a different route from the one he took.

• Bathe before going out to the prayer.
• Eat something, ideally an odd number of dates, before the Eid al-Fitr prayer; delay eating until after the Eid al-Adha prayer.
• Say the takbir on the way to the prayer.
• Give zakat al-fitr before the Eid al-Fitr prayer.
• Avoid voluntary prayers at the prayer ground before or after the Eid prayer.
• Return home by a different route.

Sources: [22] [23] [7] [8] [31] [9] [4]

Zakat al-fitr should reach its purpose before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Sahih al-Bukhari 1509 records the Prophet ordering it to be paid before people went out to the prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1609, graded hasan by al-Albani, says that what is paid before the prayer is accepted as zakat, while what is paid afterwards is ordinary charity. Sahih al-Bukhari 1511 notes that people used to give it a day or two before Eid.

The udhiyah, the Eid al-Adha sacrifice, may only be slaughtered after the Eid prayer. Sahih al-Bukhari 5545 reports that whoever slaughtered before the prayer had only provided meat for his family, not a sacrifice. The SeekersGuidance Hanafi answer gives the window as after the Eid prayer on the tenth until sunset on the twelfth of Dhul Hijjah, which is also the Maliki and Hanbali position; the Shafi'i school extends it through the days of tashriq to sunset on the thirteenth, the longer window reflected in IslamOnline's summary. Follow your school and the organisation carrying out your sacrifice.

Sahih Muslim 1977c teaches that someone intending to offer a sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails once Dhul Hijjah begins; ask your teacher how your school applies this. Qur'an 22:37 reminds believers that neither the meat nor the blood reaches Allah, but their devotion does. Amounts, recipients and animals are beyond this guide; see the zakat guide and your local scholars.

Sources: [10] [12] [11] [13] [32] [33] [14]

It depends on your school. The SeekersGuidance Hanafi account says the Eid prayer is only performed in a formal congregation and is not made up if missed, recommending instead a voluntary Duha prayer of four rak'ahs. The Hanbali account on IslamQA says a person who missed it may make it up alone or with others, including the extra takbirs.

The Malaysian Federal Territory Mufti's Shafi'i guidance says it is permissible and valid to pray the Eid prayer alone or in congregation at home, with sermons recommended when it is prayed in congregation. If you join late, complete what you missed after the imam's salam according to your school; the Hanbali account explains that someone who missed the first rak'ah makes it up with its six extra takbirs.

If illness, caring duties or work keep you away, the day's other acts remain open to you: the takbir, zakat al-fitr given on time, family visits and generosity. Learn your school's rule for a missed or late Eid prayer before the day, so that you are not deciding it in a hurry.

Sources: [23] [28] [29]

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